Srinagar, Jul 12 (KNS): Jammu and Kashmir BJP president Sat Sharma on Sunday demanded that Chief Minister Omar Abdullah either name the party leader he has accused of trying to poach National Conference legislators or issue a public apology, warning that failure to do so would lead to legal action.

 

"The Chief Minister has made serious allegations without naming anyone. It does not suit a politician holding a constitutional post to make such irresponsible statements," Sharma told news agency Kashmir News Service (KNS).

 

He said the allegations were a "deliberate attempt" to divert public attention from the "non-performance" of the Omar Abdullah-led government.

 

"If they cannot disclose the name, they should apologise to the BJP publicly. If they do not apologise, they should be ready to face the court. I have consulted our legal team and senior lawyers — we will definitely take them to court," Sharma said.

 

The BJP president also took a dig at the NC government's electoral record, pointing to its defeats in the Nagrota bypoll and the recent assembly elections.

 

"Within two years, they have done nothing except transfers and issuing such statements.Click Here To Follow Our WhatsApp ChannelThe public knows why such a political party is in power," he added.

 

Meanwhile, The BJP has dismissed the charges as "baseless" and "false propaganda." 

 

Party spokesperson R.S. Pathania also challenged the Chief Minister to provide evidence or face legal consequences.

 

"This is a deliberate attempt to distract people from the failures of the NC government," Pathania told news agency Kashmir News Service (KNS).

 

The BJP party's sharp rebuttal came a day after CM Omar Abdullah, addressing a workers' convention at Hazratbal in Srinagar on Saturday, claimed that a BJP-linked Supreme Court lawyer had approached an NC MLA from the Jammu region with an offer to switch sides.

 

The Chief Minister alleged that the MLA was offered between ?20 crore and ?30 crore, a ministerial berth, and the restoration of statehood in exchange for defecting to the BJP.

 

"He told me a BJP-linked Supreme Court lawyer offered him ?20-30 crore, a ministry, and statehood. Do they think the faith of these people is so cheap?" Abdullah had said, accusing the BJP of trying to "come to power through the back door". (KNS)